Lake County man considers firing attorney, defending himself

Daniel Baker is escorted to Great Falls International Airport Friday, April 9, 2010, in Great Falls, Mont. (Bryce Harman, for the Chicago Tribune)

Daniel Baker is scheduled to go on trial Monday — but he may fire his high-powered attorney and represent himself against charges that he beat his girlfriend's mother to death.

Experts for the prosecution and the defense disagree about the mental competency of the 24-year-old Deerfield man, who is accused of beating his girlfriend's mother to death in her Vernon Hills home. But on Friday, Lake County Judge Daniel Shanes found Baker fit to stand trial.

His attorney, Ed Genson, whose clients have included singer R. Kelly and former Gov. Rod Blagojevich, said Baker has been uncooperative with his defense team and disagrees about such basic matters as whether his guilt or innocence should be determined by the judge or a jury.

Baker, who has gotten into disciplinary trouble during his time in jail, told the judge he doesn't want a jury trial.

"Why select citizens who may be swayed by the prosecution being very manipulative?" he said.

As for Baker's desire to represent himself, Shanes told him he should seriously consider it before giving the judge his decision on Monday before the trial begins.

"You didn't go to law school, did you?" Shanes asked.

"No, sir. I did study for a week in here," Baker replied.

Authorities have alleged that on April 2, 2010, Baker crashed his car into his girlfriend Kristina Aksman's house, bludgeoned her mother, Marina Aksman, to death and took off in the family's car with his girlfriend.

They were detained in Montana several days later. Kristina Aksman was not charged.